Power Kite Forum

5m Opinions please

cbabbman - 13-5-2006 at 07:54 PM

To round out my initial collection, I am looking to get something in the 5m range.

Strictly for static flying when I have low winds (5-10mph)... I love power but as of right now, I'm not looking for something to jump with... just to drive... I'm 5'9" and 205lbs.

I'm pretty much an Ozone guy right now with a 1m Imp, 1.5m LD Stunt and a 3m Riot.

I love the build of the Ozones and my main flyer right now it the LD Stunt. Pretty smooth and plenty powerful when the winds blowing.

Suggestions? Should I stick with Ozones because I know them or should I diversify and look at something like a Bullet or Blade?

zloty - 14-5-2006 at 12:43 AM

check for sale kyte slinger have 6m samurai for only 300.I think it is a mega deal and it will be better option for You in lower winds.it will stay longer in air cose it is low ratio kite.I have 4m and it is my best static kite or If I'm lazy I use it in buggy cose I don't have to even thing about it.

Pablo - 14-5-2006 at 12:57 AM

There will be some Brooza's comming into town pretty quick, may be worth a look see.

cbabbman - 14-5-2006 at 05:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by cbabbman
should I diversify and look at something like a Bullet or Blade?


one of the reasons I ask specifically about the bullet or blade is that I found one of each for sale for a good price...

Any preference over the bullet or blade? Which one will give me more power and controlability in low winds? And, are either worth looking at with my current preference being Ozones? (build quality, performance, etc...)

Thanks

Bucky - 14-5-2006 at 11:02 AM

One thing to keep in mind, is that a 5m is not a 5m is not a 5m. There are enormous differences (even within the same manufacturer) in the stability and power of a kite based on design. For example: A 5m Ozone Fury in a 15mph wind may create a comfortably strong pull, while a 5m Ozone Yakusa in the same wind may may you feel like your arms want to come out of their sockets!!

My advice... Try them out before commiting to a size.

cbabbman - 14-5-2006 at 11:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bucky
One thing to keep in mind, is that a 5m is not a 5m is not a 5m. There are enormous differences (even within the same manufacturer) in the stability and power of a kite based on design.

My advice... Try them out before commiting to a size.


exactly why I am asking the question. One problem I have is that I don't have a kiteshop or the ability to do much more than buy something in order to try it... too expensive for me...

what I am hoping to find out is exactly what the differences between manufacturers are and how a 5m Ozone Fury differes in build, handling and power compared to a 5m Blade or Bullet..

tedsfoils - 14-5-2006 at 11:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by cbabbman
Quote:
Originally posted by Bucky
One thing to keep in mind, is that a 5m is not a 5m is not a 5m. There are enormous differences (even within the same manufacturer) in the stability and power of a kite based on design.

My advice... Try them out before commiting to a size.


exactly why I am asking the question. One problem I have is that I don't have a kiteshop or the ability to do much more than buy something in order to try it... too expensive for me...

what I am hoping to find out is exactly what the differences between manufacturers are and how a 5m Ozone Fury differes in build, handling and power compared to a 5m Blade or Bullet..


Well maybe I can help you out before you decide to buy. I still have a demo 3.5m Profoil I can send you. I think there may be someone else here in this forum that is interested in another size and if you and anyone else would like I may be able to send out a new one as a demo. Just let me know if I can help out.

Ted

cbabbman - 14-5-2006 at 12:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tedsfoils


Well maybe I can help you out before you decide to buy. I still have a demo 3.5m Profoil I can send you. I think there may be someone else here in this forum that is interested in another size and if you and anyone else would like I may be able to send out a new one as a demo. Just let me know if I can help out.

Ted


I appreciate it but I already have a 3m Ozone Riot coming my way on Tuesday... I'm really just trying to round out my flying abilities in the range of crummy winds we get here in Chicago, or at least have had since I got into kiting in the first place...

I currently have a 1m, 1.5m, geting the 3m and believe I need something in the 4.5-5m so that I can fly when I want instead of being hanstringed by low winds..

5m kite

dlyc101 - 14-5-2006 at 01:35 PM

Hey, i hear your having trouble finding a 5m. I have a 5m bullet and beamer. They are both very good kites i would say though the bullet creates more pull. Neather though create a substantial amount of pull though. Were do you ride around aurora? I live in Naperville.

dlyc101 - 14-5-2006 at 01:37 PM

When i said they dont create a substantial amount of pull i really was talking lift. Sorry.....:yes:

Bucky - 14-5-2006 at 05:25 PM

O.K.

Well since you're not looking to jump, a 4.9m Blade would not be the best choice. Blades are seriously powerful kites with remarkable lifting ability. They are commonly kite jumping most favored kite. A 5m bullet is a decent kite. Not really remarkable, but probably a better choice than the blade for your application.

Remember however, that in stepping up to a 5m, you will always have the potential for some lift, regardless of kite type. Being lifted involves directing the kite's energy upwards instead of outwards (for scudding) And in good winds, the initial acsent of a 5m can be enough to get you airborne. (just something to keep in mind)

Perhaps a better way to choose a kite, is to determine what "kind" of pull you are after, and what kind of wing creates that type of pull.

Perhaps the most important thing "Aspect ratio" "aspect ratio" is the ratio of a kites wingspan to it's depth (front to back). Lower aspect ratio kites (such as the Ozone Fury or HQ Beamer) will be very stable in the sky. However, the pull increase when the kite is moving will not be as great. In this case you may want to go with a larger kite (5m or more) where the pull will be strong, stable, and more constant.

Higher aspect ratio kites (think glider wings) such as Blades, Jojo RM's, Ozone Yakusa's, tend to be less stable in the sky. However, they powerup far more when in motion than their lower aspect counterparts. In this case, you may want to go with a smaller (4m or less) kite where the pull when stationary will be far less, but will power up considerably when moving.

An example: I have 6m Radsail (mid aspect ratio) that pulls pretty good, however my 5.5m Ozone Razor (very high aspect ratio) pulls with nearly 3x the power, despite it being .5m smaller It even overpowers some 7m and 8m (low aspect) kites I've flown.

Second thing: Bigger kites pull more constant, but not necessarily more. Speed = Power , and bigger kites fly slower. However the pull is much more stable and comfortable, and not as jerky.

Some things to think about.

cbabbman - 14-5-2006 at 06:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dlyc101
Hey, i hear your having trouble finding a 5m. I have a 5m bullet and beamer. They are both very good kites i would say though the bullet creates more pull. Neather though create a substantial amount of pull though. Were do you ride around aurora? I live in Naperville.


I'm looking for pull rather than lift... and more than anything, I am looking for the ability to fly in low winds...

Tonight was yet another excellent example of frustration for me... Winds here in Aurora are light, 5-10mph, maybe.... my wife had her beatle up and was having all kinds of fun.... me? I'm sitting there, running like a fool trying to get my 1.5m ld stunt to do something... as usual, everytime the wind started to blow, I was chasing my 4 year old out of my flying area, and then, as soon as I was able to put it up, there was nothing strong enough to keep it up... arggg...

As for exactly, and I mean exactly what I am looking for is this... in a good wind, my LD Stunt creats a good amount of pull. It's not incredibly fast but I enjoy the control aspect and the feel of the pull against me. No desire to jump so I am not looking for lift, just pull... No desire for an extremely fast kite, just something that when the winds are light, it gives me a good amount of pull and control... I just want to be able to fly and not sit here all pissed off that I don't have something right for the way the winds are at the moment...

At least that's what I am looking for now.. until I'm bored with it...lol

As for where I ride... I'm on the far west side of Aurora over by IMSA. In fact, that's my field when I'm at home as it's pretty wide open.

During the week, I fly on my lunch hour over at the Lisle Community park off of 53 & Short St. All the soccor and baseball fields are empty at that time and If I do something stupid or fall down, no one sees me but God...lol If I ever have to listen to my wife say "Did you FALL?!" again, I'll get her a 10m and tell her to fly it on a gusty day and whatever you do, DON'T LET GO!...lol

5m kite

dlyc101 - 14-5-2006 at 08:28 PM

Yeah i screwed up when i said those 2 dont have a lot of pull. I meant lift...i was watching tv and typing at the same time. As for you 1.5m today, i honestly dont think there was enouph wind. I was sitting here in naperville and i dont even think there would have been enouph to get my 3.6 beamer up in the air. WEll there may have been but u would of had to work the kite to get it to stay up in the air. Which brings me to my second point. I think 5m beamer or 3.6 is perfect for you (prob. the 5m) I love both but i used my 3.6 more because i have a large deserted parking lot by my house were i use my mountain board. You can fly on concrete so i dont need a large kite. I have used that 3.6 everywere though i love it. SOmetime me and someother guys ride over on 59 behind calvary church if u wanna stop by and use one of my beamers.

Bucky - 15-5-2006 at 10:07 AM

O.K. I think I understand where you're coming from.

Avoid the Blade, Bullet or any other high to medium AR kite. They just don't perform well, or behave right in very light wind. Instead, try a low AR kite such as a 5m Beamer. You'll have better control in light winds, and a much greater wind range that you could operate in. Best of all, they're super stable kites, and are excellent for building up confidence. It may even inspire you to try jumping. (that way when your wife asks if you fell, you can say YES!!! and it was a BLAST!!)

Hey!! Well, lo-and-behold it seems that "dlyc101" has that EXACT kite that you can try out. (How's that for serendipity?!?) Anyhow, good luck. I hope that's helpful.

cbabbman - 15-5-2006 at 12:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bucky

Hey!! Well, lo-and-behold it seems that "dlyc101" has that EXACT kite that you can try out. (How's that for serendipity?!?) Anyhow, good luck. I hope that's helpful.


you guys are all extremely helpful... and lo and behold, dlyc101 happens to live only a few miles from me!

I guess I'm just going to have to drag my ass out and play with him and his friends... I hate it when that happens...